March is Women’s History Month, a time to learn about the women who have shaped society with their contributions to science, the humanities and politics. This year’s theme, “Women Inspiring Hope and Possibility,” is carried through every speaker and film chosen for the month-long celebration.
The festivities will kick off March 1 with the African Studies Institute’s annual Darl Snyder lecture, delivered by Kate Winskell of Emory University. Winskell has produced a series of films about HIV/AIDS prevention created by and for young people in Africa. The films are available in nine different languages and have been shown throughout sub-Saharan Africa. This event will be held at the Chapel at 3:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public.
Well-known writer Katha Pollitt will give the Women’s History Month keynote lecture at the Chapel on March 18 at 7:30 p.m. Pollitt is best known as a columnist for The Nation, and has won several awards for her writing. She has written on a variety of topics, from Shakespeare to teenage pregnancy to the Million Man March. The lecture is free for university students and $2 for non-students. Tickets are required and may be picked up or purchased at the Tate Student Center cashier’s window.
Films will be shown throughout the month. They include Fire, a film that led to rioting and censorship in India because of its controversial content, and the award-winning documentary The Return of Sarah’s Daughters, about modern women seeking fulfillment in the Orthodox Jewish faith. POV: Mai’s America, tells the story of a Vietnamese teenager who gets to study in the United States-only to find out that it’s not at all what she imagined. MTV’s production of True Life: I’m Coming Out depicts people from different walks of life revealing their homosexuality to families and friends. A discussion with Lambda Alliance members will follow the program. Finally, Married in America explores the relationships of a variety of couples, from biracial to same-sex to second marriages.
Grammy Award-winning guitarist Sharon Isbin will perform at Hodgson Hall March 20 at 8 p.m. Isbin is known for her lyricism, technique and stylistic breadth, reflected in her 20-plus recordings. She has performed with a variety of other artists, including the Zurich Chamber Orchestra, Aretha Franklin and Steve Vai.
A discussion about the women’s rights movement during the 1970s and ’80s is planned for March 19 in room 137 of the Tate Student Center at 12:20 p.m. Participants include Garnett Stokes, Gail Cowie, Sharron Hannon and Janice Mathis.
At the end of the month, Valerie Boyd will read from her biography of Zora Neale Hurston. The reading will take place in room 265 of Park Hall on March 30 at 7 p.m.